How to Make Your Tres Leches Cake Like an Expert

Read in EnglishThe tres leches cake is an icon in Mexican cuisine, as it is a dessert that you cannot miss at all kinds of parties and gatherings. At Kiwilimon, we give you all the tips you need to make the best tres leches cake, and we also tell you a bit about the origin of this cake.What is tres leches cake?The tres leches cake is famous in Mexico, Latin America, and around the world, as it is very difficult to resist trying a dessert made from a fluffy sponge cake soaked in a mixture of evaporated milk, condensed milk, and whole milk. The cake's topping can be prepared with meringue and whipped cream, then crowned with all kinds of fruits, nuts, or sprinkles.In our country, you can find this delicious cake whole or by the slice in most bakeries, although it is also a very popular recipe among amateur cooks. Because it is a cake that enjoys great popularity, it is very common to enjoy it during family gatherings or birthdays.You can also read: 10 different ways to prepare mosaic gelatinWho invented tres leches cake?The history of the delicious tres leches cake is much more mysterious than you might think, as, although the original recipe is attributed to a very famous company, everything seems to indicate that this dessert could have Mexican or European origins. Here we tell you the story behind the tres leches cake!The most popular version suggests that the tres leches cake came to our kitchens through cans of condensed milk, as these usually have recipes on the back of the label; however, the American media The Austin Chronicle questions this version.According to the American media, there are several Mexican cake recipes that could have served as inspiration for the creation of the tres leches cake as we know it today.On one hand, in Tabasco, a milk cake was prepared, which was made in the following way: the cake mix is poured over a pan filled with hot condensed milk, baked, and served floating on a milk sauce. Additionally, there is another precedent in Sinaloa, called the viceroy cake, which was made with various layers of sponge cake, custard, fruit, meringue, and was soaked with sherry.On the other hand, some indicate that the tres leches cake is rather inspired by European desserts. In her book El Gourmet Mexicano, María Dolores Torres Yzabal mentions that by the 19th century, a cake called antes had arrived in Mexico, which was made in layers, filled with custard and fruit or nuts, and then soaked with wine. On the other hand, other cakes that may have inspired the creation of our beloved tres leches cake include Italian tiramisu, British trifle, rum cake, or Portugal's golden soup.You can also read: The 10 best tres leches cake recipesHow to prepare tres leches cake like an expertNow that you know a little more about the history of this dessert, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and learn how to make a tres leches cake like a pro; you will be surprised at how easy it is with the advice from chef Yamilette González.Quality ingredientsRemember that using fresh and high-quality ingredients will be essential to prepare the best tres leches cake you have ever tried.You need a very fluffy sponge cakeTo soak a cake, it is important to consider that the cake crumb should be soft and fluffy so that the liquid can be absorbed perfectly.Pay attention to the number of eggsThe number of eggs in a tres leches cake sponge is crucial, as the more porous it is, the more tres leches liquid it will absorb.Add a touch of flavorGenerally, a tres leches is prepared with whole milk, condensed milk, and evaporated milk, although there are some versions with half-and-half to give it a creamier consistency; you can also add a touch of rum or brandy to give it that boozy flavor or maybe a hint of amaretto.Prepare the perfect tres lechesIf the consistency of the 3 milks is too thick, you can heat it a little before adding it to the sponge cake so that it flows better.Soak the cake easilyYou can add the tres leches mixture using a brush or a squeeze bottle to make it easier to soak the cake.Dare to make new combinationsForget about boring cakes and add your favorite fruits, nuts, dried fruits, candies, or chocolates.Follow Kiwilimon's recipes to the letterThe tres leches cake recipes you can find on Kiwilimon are developed by our chefs, so it's best to follow the recipe and the video to the letter, and you'll have an amazing cake.